🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.